AN collars won't fit on tubing recently ordered from Vans

[vmirv8bldr]

I'm working on the fuels lines for my -8, the tubing that came in the finish kit box was fine, except that I didn't have nearly enough since I kept screwing it up. I ordered an additional 12' roll from Vans, and it got here quickly. So I went out to the shop, measured, cut, bent, and then got ready to flare the end. I placed the nut on the tubing, then attempted to place the collar on. It won't fit. The tubing seems to be slightly oval shaped, and not quite round. I thought maybe it was just this spot and had become warped or something. Nope, whole roll. I also tried sanding a bit in case the tubing cutter put a slight bur on it. That didn't help either.

Anyone else have this problem?

I assume I need to get some more Al tubing. Has anyone found any at a local place? I didn't see any at HD or Lowes.

Thanks,

[mburch]

I had a similar issue recently with the supply of 3/8" tubing that came with my AFP pump install kit. Luckily I had a big coil on hand that I was able to use to get the job done. Maybe they got a bad batch?

Anyway, I don't think you're likely to find any at the local builder's store - you'll probably have to mail-order it unless you're within driving distance of a place like Spruce.

cheers,
mcb

[az_gila]

If it was coiled too tightly, it might have made the tubing slightly oval like you mention.

Can you gently squeeze the end few inches back into a circular shape??

gil A

[rocketbob]

5052 tubing is available from Wicks in straight sections, uncoiled. Much nicer to work with than the coiled stuff. I helped a friend make all new lines in the gearwells of a P-51 and that's what was used. Polished it all too, looks awesome.

[vmirv8bldr]

I could get the collars started, but they were hard to slide, so I used a nut portion to help push it down enough to put the Parker Rolo-flare tool on it. After flaring, it slid nicely back into place.

I'm now officially finished making fuel and brake lines! God only knows how I'm going to tighten them all on the valve though! One at a time I guess.

Thanks,
Bart

[mikehoover]

Just a recommendation for 1st-time builders like myself: If you screw up your supply of Van's-supplied tubing trying to install your fuel lines or whatever (like I did), buy a bunch if you have to re-order. It's $.045 cents/ft for 1/4" OD, $0.69/ft for 3/8" OD (at Aircraft Spruce) with a 20 percent discount for a 50-foot roll. Where ever you buy it, buy more that you think you need. That's pretty cheap insurance to have plenty of tubing without having to re-order again and waiting for it to arrive. Hope this help.

[vmirv8bldr]

Van's sent 8' of the 3/8" stuff. I ordered an additional 12' and ended up with about 1 foot left.

I did a full dual fuel return, so ordered extra 1/4" anyway, I got the longest piece Vans has and have plenty of 1/4" left over.

I don't care how careful you are, you're going to kink at least on piece. Furthermore, you're going to have one bent just perfect, I mean BEAUTIFUL, and after you flare it you'll realize that you forgot the AN collar and nut. Nothing provokes more foul language than that.

Do the long pieces first, if you screw them up, the scrap can still be used for shorter pieces.

[Pilottonny]

Bart,

How about: you got your "perfectly" bent tube, with the nut and collar on, yep, you double checked and make the flare. Very proud of this masterpiece you try to screw the nut on the coupling, but somehow it wil not go on....... until you notice you got the collar on the wrong way around .

[yakdriver]

Or the nut is on backwards. Don

[vmirv8bldr]

Yeah, I started making it a habit to make that one final check after clamping the tube in the flaring tool. I did this because on one of the flares I made, I noticed the lack of the collar and nut just as the flare started...flaring.

.0000000001 seconds too late.